Red Oak Hardwood Flooring in Birmingham

Hardwood flooring is a traditional and timeless staple amongst many Birmingham homeowners. With countless unique tree species to choose from, however, finding the right hardwood for your home can be tough. Here at Floor Coverings International Birmingham, we know that oak hardwood flooring, especially red oak, is one of the most popular hardwood types in North America. To help you decide if this is the right hardwood for your home, our experts have compiled all of the basic information that you need to know about red oak below!

Red Oak Hardwood Basics

The oak tree is a common domestic wood grown throughout regions of North America. This tree species has more than one variety, including white oak and red oak. There are a number of differences between these two types of hardwood, especially when it comes to appearance and durability. Red oak is the more traditional looking of the two, and is by far the most commonly used hardwood in the United States.

Red Oak Durability

Thanks to its popularity, red oak is used as a reference point on the Janka hardness scale. This scale determines the density of hardwoods by measuring the amount of pressure needed to press a metal ball halfway into a plank of wood. Red oak scores 1,290 on this scale, and this number is used as the standard that other hardwoods are compared to when deciding whether or not they are durable and suitable for high traffic areas.

Although red oak has a good score on this scale, there are many other hardwoods that outrank it. For example, Brazilian cherry hardwood has a score of 2,820 on this scale. Red oak’s unique score ensures that it is dense enough to resist dents and scratches in the home but is still forgiving underfoot.

Hardwood Style and Appearance

Red oak hardwood flooring is characterized by its wide and defined graining. This gives the wood a traditional, natural look that many homeowners love. Get the most out of this unique graining by choosing wide plank hardwood, as this style will best display the wood’s natural patterns.

As its name suggests, red oak hardwood has a pinkish hue that gives it a warm and inviting feel. Red oak also takes stain easily, allowing for a homeowner to customize the look of their hardwoods with little effort.

Get Started in Birmingham Today

Red oak is a traditional and timeless hardwood species that could be the perfect addition to any Birmingham home. Contact Floor Coverings International Birmingham today to schedule your free, in-home design consultation and we’ll help you find the perfect hardwood for your home. We proudly serve Birmingham and surrounding areas.